Environmental aspects of produced waters from oil and gas extraction operations in offshore and coastal waters

The constituents of produced waters and their effects on offshore and coastal marine environments are reviewed. The composition, inputs, fates, and effects of petroleum hydrocarbons and inorganic components in produced waters are described. Considerable laboratory and field data are presented. Toxic components are in low concentrations in produced waters. Natural forces, such as dilution and evaporation, and chemical and biological reactions rapidly reduce the concentration of any toxic components in the produced waters to levels not harmful to the marine environment and biota. Field data from Timbalier Bay, Louisiana, and Texas bays and estuaries show little to no detrimental effects on the marine environment or biota.